Method and apparatus for delivering therapeutic oxygen treatments

Abstract

The present invention provides an applicator for directing a flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas onto a selected portion of the body of a patient. The applicator receives the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas, such as oxygen, from a source, via a conduit coupled to the source and to the applicator. The applicator can be an adhesive bandage having an inlet for receiving the flow of gas, and one or more outlets for directing the flow of gas. The applicator can also be a mask, patch or similar article configured to be applied to the skin of a patient and connected to a source of medically pure, therapeutic gas via a conduit. The applicator can also having other therapeutic materials impregnated therein. The applicator can also be configured to deliver other therapeutic substances introduced into the flow of gas.

1 . An apparatus for delivering a therapeutic gas to a patent, comprising:
 a source capable of generating a flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas;   a conduit coupled to the source, for conveying the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas to the patient; and   an applicator, coupled to the conduit for receiving the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas from the source, the applicator configured to direct the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas into contact with a selected portion of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises an adhesive bandage having an inlet for receiving the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas and one or more outlets directing the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas into contact with a selected portion of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises a mask having an inlet for receiving the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas and one or more outlets directing the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas into contact with a selected portion of the patient. 
     
     
         4 . A method for delivering a therapeutic gas to a patent, comprising the steps of:
 generating a flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas;   conveying the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas to the patient; and   directing the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas into contact with a selected portion of the patient.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step(s) of receiving the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas from the conduit to an applicator and directing the flow of medically pure, therapeutic gas through one or more outlets of the applicator and into contact with a selected portion of the patient.